NewScientist said:
In-flight internet shown off by Boeing
Boeing's entertainment wish-list includes a technology it began rolling out to airlines on Friday: delivering live satellite TV news to passengers’ laptops via an onboard Wi-Fi connection.
[...]
Delivering live TV to planes is not easy. Once over the oceans and out of the reach of the land-focused satellite TV ranges – such as BSkyB's Astra satellite, covering the UK – aircraft cannot receive live TV signals.
So Boeing leased a chunk of satellite capacity on satellites with maritime coverage. Then on Friday the company began broadcasting four live news channels – BBC World, CNBC (MSNBC over the US), Euronews and Eurosport News – which can be received by planes anywhere in the northern hemisphere.
[...]
Internet access on aircraft is already becoming commonplace since 11 airlines – including Lufthansa, SAS and Singapore Airlines – are already using Boeing's high-speed satellite internet connection technology. The next step is to link that technology to cellphones.
Boeing's entertainment wish-list includes a technology it began rolling out to airlines on Friday: delivering live satellite TV news to passengers’ laptops via an onboard Wi-Fi connection.
[...]
Delivering live TV to planes is not easy. Once over the oceans and out of the reach of the land-focused satellite TV ranges – such as BSkyB's Astra satellite, covering the UK – aircraft cannot receive live TV signals.
So Boeing leased a chunk of satellite capacity on satellites with maritime coverage. Then on Friday the company began broadcasting four live news channels – BBC World, CNBC (MSNBC over the US), Euronews and Eurosport News – which can be received by planes anywhere in the northern hemisphere.
[...]
Internet access on aircraft is already becoming commonplace since 11 airlines – including Lufthansa, SAS and Singapore Airlines – are already using Boeing's high-speed satellite internet connection technology. The next step is to link that technology to cellphones.
Plus showing live football matches could get some people a little over-excited, and nobody wants that on a plane.